The OAT is the Optometry Admission Test, a standardized exam required for admission to optometry schools in the United States. It measures your general academic ability and your grasp of scientific concepts, giving admissions committees a standardized way to compare applicants. The test is governed by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), administered at Prometric testing centers, and managed by the American Dental Association’s Department of Testing Services.
What the OAT Covers
The OAT is built around four test sections designed to reflect the academic foundation you need for optometry school:
- Natural Sciences: Biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry questions that test your understanding of core science coursework.
- Physics: A standalone section covering mechanics, optics, thermodynamics, and other physics fundamentals.
- Reading Comprehension: Passages that assess your ability to read and interpret dense scientific or academic material.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Math problems covering algebra, probability, statistics, and basic quantitative skills.
All questions are multiple choice. The exam is computer-based, and you take it at a Prometric testing center rather than on a set national test date. That flexibility means you can schedule it when you feel ready, within your eligibility window.
How Scoring Works
Each section is scored on a scale from 200 to 400. You also receive two composite scores: a Total Science score (combining biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics) and an Academic Average across all sections. There is no pass/fail cutoff set by the test itself. Each optometry school decides how much weight to give OAT scores relative to GPA, interviews, and other application factors.
To give you a sense of where applicants typically land, the most recent national averages (from 2024 test-takers) break down like this:
- Academic Average: 305.8
- Total Science: 293.9
- Quantitative Reasoning: 315.8
- Reading Comprehension: 328.1
- Biology: 305.4
- General Chemistry: 303.6
- Organic Chemistry: 296.5
- Physics: 280.4
A score around 320 or above is generally considered competitive for most programs, though admissions standards vary. Physics tends to be the lowest-scoring section nationally, so a strong physics score can help your application stand out.
Registration Cost
The exam fee for the 2026 testing period (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026) is $520. That covers the test itself, an unofficial score report you receive at the testing center, and score reports sent to any schools you select when you register. If you need to send additional score reports after registration, each one costs $55.
Rescheduling fees depend on how much notice you give before your appointment. Moving it with 30 or more business days’ notice costs $50. With 5 to 29 business days, the fee rises to $70. Rescheduling with fewer than 5 business days’ notice costs $150. If you simply don’t show up or arrive more than 30 minutes late, you forfeit the entire $520 exam fee with no refund.
Two other optional fees to know about: a score audit costs $105 and must be requested within 30 days of your test, and extending your eligibility window by 45 days costs $150.
Retake Rules
If your scores don’t go the way you hoped, you can retake the OAT, but there are limits. You must wait at least 60 days between attempts, and you can take the test a maximum of four times in any 12-month period. After your third attempt, you need to apply for permission to retest, and you’ll have to show proof that you’ve recently applied to an optometry program. After your fifth lifetime attempt, you’re limited to one retake per 12-month period.
These restrictions make preparation before your first attempt especially important. Most applicants spend two to three months studying, using a combination of review courses, practice exams, and content review in their weakest subject areas. Since your scores from every attempt are reported to schools, a strong first sitting is ideal.
When to Take It
Most applicants take the OAT in the spring or summer before the admissions cycle in which they plan to apply. Optometry school applications typically open in the summer, so testing in the spring gives you time to receive scores and include them with your application. Because the test is offered year-round at Prometric centers, you have flexibility to choose a date that aligns with your academic schedule. Just keep in mind that popular testing windows fill up, so booking your appointment a few months in advance is a good idea.
You receive an unofficial score report immediately after finishing the exam at the testing center. Official scores are typically available to schools within a few weeks, though exact timelines can vary depending on when you test.